OPTIMISATION OF THE APPLICATIVE PROPERTIES OF BIODEGRADABLE CELLULOSE ACETATE-BASED FILMS USING THE PRINCIPLES OF GREEN CHEMISTRY

Abstract

There is a growing interest in the use of biopolymers for obtaining biodegradable packaging with the addition of green components. The aim of this paper is to develop films based on cellulose acetate and polycaprolactone-diol intended for active packaging by adding biocompatible plasticizers. The films were obtained by solution casting method, and essential oils were used as active components, which showed antimicrobial activity in a low percentage. Biocompatible plasticizers synthesized by esterification and polyesterification reactions were used to improve the flexibility of prepared films. The obtained plasticizers also showed the effect of compatibilizer, improving the miscibility of polymers in the blend. The optical properties of the obtained blends were successfully improved by the addition of a low concentration of newly synthesized azo dye, with the ability to absorb electromagnetic radiation of a certain part of the spectrum.